Tag: Gospel

Stand Fast In the Faith

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1Corinthians 16:12-18 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helped with us, and laboured. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge you them that are such. 

‘I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren.’ This shows Paul was not jealous of the popularity of Apollos (1Cor. 1:12; 3:5). A shortened name of Apollonius. An eloquent Christian of Alexandria (1:12; 3:4-7; 16:12; Acts 18:24-28; 19:1; Tit. 3:13).

‘Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.’ Six final commands to Christians: [1] Watch – be continually on your guard: For Christ’s coming (Matt. 24:42); that you enter not into temptation (Matt. 26:41); that you may be worthy to escape all these things (tribulations, Luke 21:36); for grievous wolves (Acts 20:29); in prayer (Col. 4:3; 1Pet. 4:7); in soberness (1Thess. 5:6) and in all things (2Tim. 4:5). [2] Stand fast in the faith (Gal. 5:1; Php. 1:27; 4:1; 1Thess. 3:8; 2Thess. 2:15). Keep rank. Do not be disorderly or retreat. Keep unity. Let nothing divide you so that satan can defeat you. [3] Behave like men (1Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:14). Do not flinch in the fight. Maintain your ground at all costs. Resist, press forward. Strike deadly blows. [4] Be strong (Luke 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16). Keep yourself fit. Learn how to conquer. Die in the contest or win. [5] Do all things in love (1Cor. 13:4). [6] Submit to all true workers (1Cor. 16:15-16).

‘Firstfruits of Achaia’ – First converts in Greece.

‘Addicted’ [Greek: tasso] determined to minister to the saints (Acts 13:48). This is a great ministry in itself, for when one does anything for a saint he does it for Christ (Matt. 25:34-46).

‘I am glad of the coming of Stephanas …’ When anyone can make a true servant of God glad, he is doing good work. ‘Stephanas’ – It was by these that the Corinthians had sent a letter asking Paul the many questions starting from 1Corinthians 7 about: The unmarried (7:1-9); the married and unmarried (7:10-17); circumcision – servitude (7:18-24); virgins (7:25-40); things offered to idols (8:1-13); Paul’s apostleship or ministry (9:1-27); the Mosaic and Christian dispensations (10:1-11:1); customs for women (11:2-16); the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34); spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40); the resurrections (15:1-58); collections for the poor and his coming visit (16:1-9).

‘Lacking’ [Greek: husterema] Elsewhere (Luke 21:4; 2Cor. 8:14; 9:12; 11:9; Php. 2:30; Col. 1:24; 1Thess. 3:10). This either refers to information Paul got from these brethren from Corinth or to material help from the congregation. It could refer to both. Whatever it was it refreshed Paul’s spirit and gave him courage as well as the congregation (1Cor. 16:18).

Flesh and Blood

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1Corinthians 15:50-52 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

‘Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.’ Natural men cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but they can and will enter it. They will inherit the earthly sphere of the universal kingdom of God which commence during the Millennium (Matt. 5:5; 25:34; Ps.37:11); but they will never inherit the whole realm of God over all the universe, as glorified saints will (Rom. 8:17).

‘Corruption inherit incorruption.’ Corruption must be laid aside and incorruption take its place in the bodies of the resurrected (15:51-54). Flesh and blood cannot inherit glory or the spiritual body (15:42-49), but flesh and bones can (Luke 24:39; Php. 3:21).

‘I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.’ This is one of Paul’s revelations – all will not die physically, but some will be changed to the likeness of those who do die (1Thess. 4:13-17). The living will be changed from mortality to immortality as quickly as the dead will be raised to immortality. The time needed for this is but a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The Greek says en atomo, in an atom of time (15:2). It will happen at the last of two trumpets which will sound at this time. At the first trumpet, the dead will be raised to immortality. At the second or last trumpet, the living will be changed to immortality and be caught up with those who were dead to meet the Lord in the air (15:52; 1Thess. 4:16-17).

‘Incorruptible’ [Greek: aphthartos] immortal, describing the eternal existence or a never-dying condition of the soul and body. The word immortal is found only once in Scripture and is used of God (1Tim. 1:17). This same Greek word is translated not corruptible in speaking of “the hidden man of the heart” and of the “spirit” of man in 1Peter 3:4, thus proving beyond doubt that the inner man is immortal (See also Ps. 22:26). It is translated incorruptible in referring to the eternal inheritance, and the crown that believers are to receive at the end of this life (9:25; 1Pet. 1:4). It is translated incorruptible, referring to the Word of God (1Pet. 1:23) and of the resurrected bodies of saints (15:52). Thus we can conclude that God, the Word of God, the soul and spirit of man, the future crown, the inheritance of saints, and the resurrected bodies of believers are all immortal and incorruptible.

The First Man

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1Corinthians 15:45-49 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

‘The first man Adam was made a living soul’ – quoted from Genesis 2:7.

‘The last Adam was made a quickening spirit.’ Seven contrasts between Adam and Christ: First Adam – last Adam (15:45); living soul – quickening spirit (15:45); natural – spiritual (15:46); earthly – heavenly (15:47); of the earth – of heaven (15:47); only man – both man and God (15:47); first man – second man (15:47).

‘As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.’ The earthly body will be like the earthly; the resurrected body will be like other heavenly bodies (15:48-49). ‘Image’ [Greek: eikon] likeness, profile; statue, or physical resemblance (15:49; 11:7; Matt. 22:20; Acts 19:35; Rom. 1:23; 8:29; 11:4; 2Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Heb. 10:1; Rev. 13:14-15; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). This further proves that spiritual and heavenly bodies are real and tangible. If the moral and spiritual image and likeness only are referred to, then interpreting all the preceding passages and those that follow with this idea alone would be very difficult (Gen. 5:3; 9:6; Ex. 20:4; Lev. 26:1; Ps. 73:20; 106:19; Isa. 40:19-20; 44:9-17; 45:20; Jer.10:14; 51:17). Doing away with outward forms of idols and people in these passages and claim that they have only a moral and spiritual image are not logical. With idols, only an outward image could be understood. With people, outward image is also the main idea. So, when the same word is used of heavenly beings it proves that they also have outward form and physical image.

Be Not Deceived

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1Corinthians 15:30-34 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

‘I die daily’ – this refers to the outward man perishing day by day, as in 2Corinthians 4:16, not to die to sin daily. That he did not teach. He argued that we should become dead to sin once and then stay dead to sin always (Rom. 6:6-11; Gal. 2:20). It could also refer to Paul’s being in constant danger of death daily for the gospel – even every hour (15:30, 32). At least it refers to the body, for the whole chapter is on the death and resurrection of the body.

‘Fought with beasts at Ephesus’ – Perhaps referring to his fight with the beastly men at Ephesus (Acts 19:28-31). Such men are called beasts (Tit. 1:12; 2Pet. 2:12; Jude 1:10). In his list of sufferings in 2Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul does not refer to having been in combat with wild beasts in an arena, when naming all his hardships.

‘Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die’ quoted from Isaiah 22:13 – this is the attitude of the ungodly who have no hope of a life to come, for the idea of a short life only made men want to live in sinful pleasure as long as possible (Isa. 22:12-14).

‘Communications’ [Greek: homilia] associations. Evil ones will corrupt good morals. A quotation from the Thais of Menander, an Athenian poet. Good is always influenced, corrupted, and spoiled by bad because faith comes through hearing (Rom. 10:17) and by hearing comes faith. No one is immune against this form of corruption, so for a Christian that thinks he/she will not be defiled by bad conversation or company, a rude awakening will follow when Scripture slowly but surely becomes uninteresting, hard to understand and our standards drop to worldly ones (1Jn. 2:15-17); hence so-called Christians today walk and talk like all others and never follow in the example set for born-again Christians as stated in 1Peter 2:21-23 and 1John 3. ‘Awake to righteousness, and sin not’ – return to sobriety and righteousness and quit sin in view of the resurrection.

All in All

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1Corinthians 15:27-29 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he said all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

‘He has put all things under his feet’ – the purpose of the first 1,000 years of the eternal reign of Christ is to put all enemies down and rid the earth of all rebellion (15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Heb. 2:8; Rev. 20:1-15).

‘He is excepted’ – the Father is the excepted one.

‘Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him.’ The Son and His millennial earthly kingdom do not cease to exist for both are eternal. The Son will continue to reign under the Father forever after the earth is rid of all rebellion (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 18, 27; Zech. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 22:5).

‘That God may be all in all’ – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit will reign together throughout all eternity, as before the rebellion which made it necessary for them to take separate parts in the creation and redemption of all things.

‘Why are they then baptized for the dead?’ Baptism for the Dead – Unscriptural for 7 reasons: It is a law of Scripture that every doctrine must be proved by two or more scriptures (2Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:16; Deut. 19:15-18) but this verse is the only one casually mentioning the subject. The Corinthians were involved in many errors and heresies (11:19). Baptism for the dead was only one of them. Baptism in water does not save a living man who repents and meets the gospel conditions of salvation. Therefore, it could not save a dead man who did not meet conditions while he was alive (Luke 13:1-5; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; 1Jn. 1:9). Salvation is a personal matter and cannot be obtained by proxy (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:1-5; John 3:16-20; Acts 3:19; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; Rev. 22:17). There is no command or example of baptism for the dead in Scripture. The simple truth is that Paul is here showing the inconsistency of false teachers at Corinth in denying the doctrine of the resurrection and yet accepting the fallacy of baptism for the dead. He does not sanction such a doctrine or practice just because he makes one passing reference to this error. One might as well believe there is no resurrection of the dead on the basis of false teachers saying there is none (15:12), as to believe in their practice of baptism for the dead (15:29).

According to the Scriptures

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1Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures… 

‘The gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand.’ Man’s five-fold responsibility to the gospel: It must be studied, as preached by the apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (15:1; Mark 16:15). It must be received (15:1; John 1:12). It must be obeyed (15:1; Rom. 1:5; 6:17). It must be kept in memory – held fast (15:2; Heb. 3:6; 10:23; 12:14). It must be believed from the heart that will lead to obedience to every command and a life conformed to Christ’s image (15:2; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; John 3:16-20; 1Pet. 2:21-23).

‘By which also you are saved’ – Four main parts to the gospel of salvation: Death of Christ (15:3; 4:14-21; Rom. 5:6-10; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:15); burial of Christ (15:4; Matt. 26:12; John 12:7; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12); resurrection of Christ (15:4, 12; Rom. 14:9; 2Cor. 5:15; 1Thess. 4:14); manifestation of Christ after the resurrection (15:5-8).

‘Keep in memory’ [Greek: katecho] holdfast.

‘What I preached unto you.’ What Paul preached – by the unction of the Holy Spirit – included in the four main parts to the gospel of salvation.

‘Believed in vain’ – It is possible to believe in vain or to no purpose (Luke 8:13; Jas. 2:19).

‘According to the scriptures’ – referring here to how that Christ died for our sins as quoted in Psalm 16:10; 22:1; Isaiah 52:14; and 53:1-12.

‘According to the scriptures’ referring here His burial and resurrection on the third day as quoted in Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:12; Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40 and Luke 11:29.

Been Much Hindered

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Romans 15:22-24, 29 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. … When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 

‘For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.’ Because of his policy to preach the gospel where it has not been preached, he has been hindered for a long time to go where the gospel has already been preached (15:20, 22).

‘No more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you.’ Having evangelized all these parts and having a desire for many years to see them, Paul planned to go to them when he took his journey into Spain (15:23-24).

‘Spain’ there is no record in Scripture or history that Paul ever fulfilled this proposed journey into Spain. It is on record that he went back to Jerusalem and was taken to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 21:1-28:31).

‘For I trust to see you in my journey’ – He trusted to see the Christians in Spain and be blessed with their company as he goes to Spain.

‘And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.’ Here we have Paul’s confidence stated that when he visited them, he would come to them with all the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God and of the gospel of Christ. This confirms the fact that one man may be filled with all the fullness of God and have all the gifts and fruit of the Spirit of 1Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23. He had already told them that he planned to impart to them some spiritual gift to the end that they would be established (1:11).

The Gospel of Peace

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Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias said, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? … Lord, who hath believed our report?’ Seven steps in gospel faith:

The gospel was given by Christ; the gospel must be preached; a preacher was necessary (10:14); the preacher must be sent (10:15); the gospel must be heard (10:14-15); the gospel must be believed (10:16); the gospel must be obeyed (10:9-17).

‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things’ this is the 8th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:15; Isa. 52:7). This prophecy is only partially fulfilled in New Testament ministers. They cannot now say of Zion, “Thy God reigns.” In the Millennium they will say this, so the passage will then be fully fulfilled.

‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ this is the 9th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (10:16; Isa. 53:1). Paul here answers a question in the Jewish mind thus: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel;” that is if the gospel was of God, it should have divine success, and so, since many do not believe it, then it must not be of God. Paul proves by prophecy that many would not believe and obey the gospel (Isa. 53:1). God sends the message, but He does not obligate people to accept and obey it (1:16; Mark 16:16; John 3:16-20).

‘Have they not heard? … Did not Israel know?’ In this verse Paul answers another Jewish question, “Have they not heard;” that is, have all the Jews of the world heard the gospel? Yes, for like the heavenly bodies of Psalm 19:4 that send forth their testimony of a living God to all the world, so the gospel of Christ has borne testimony to all the Jews of the known world.

The Gospel of God

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Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God

‘Paul’ we can see his history written in Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-30; 11:25-30; 12:25; 13:1-28:31; Galatians 1:1-24; Philippians 3:1-21; 1Timothy 1:1-20 and 2Corinthians 11-12. His name heads up all of his epistles (except Hebrews). ‘Servant’ [Greek: doulos] bond-slave; one who is the entire property of another (1Cor. 6:19-20; 2Cor. 4:5).

‘Called’ [Greek: kletos] called. Here, called to an office and divinely selected and appointed to fill it (Rom. 1:1; 1Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:15). Believers can’t claim that they have the same calling as Paul (and the other apostles) had, because they were called to preach what they learnt (Gal. 1:17-18) from Jesus Christ as they wrote to the believers from various congregations.

‘Apostle’ [Greek: apostolos] a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of Christians it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. Twenty-four apostles are recorded of which the first twelve were Jesus’ disciples: Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, James, son of Zebedee and John his brother (Matt. 10:2); Philip and his brother Bartholomew (Matt. 10:3); James, son of Alphaeus and Judas his brother (Luke 6:16) and Matthew, son of Alphaeus, perhaps brother of James and Judas (Mark 2:14; Luke 6:15); Thomas (Matt. 10:3); Simon Zelotes, brother of James and Judas, according to tradition (Luke 6:15); Judas Iscariot (Matt. 10:4). Then there was Matthias (Acts 1:26); Barnabas (1Cor. 9:5-6; Acts. 13:1-3; 14:4, 14; Gal. 2:9); Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7); Apollos (1Cor. 4:6-9); James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19; 2:6; Jas. 1:1); Silas and Timothy (1Thess. 1:1; 2:6); Titus (2Cor. 8:23);  Epaphroditus (Php. 2:25); Paul (Gal. 1:1; 2:8), and Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1)

‘Separated’ [Greek: aphorizo] set apart. Three stages of Paul’s separation: At birth, in God’s mind (Gal. 1:15); at conversion, from Judaism to the gospel (Acts 9:15-16; 1Tim. 1:15-16); at his commission, from secular work to the work of God (Acts 13:2; 26:16-18; 1Tim. 1:11-12)

‘The gospel of God’ the gospel of God (Acts 1:1-5) can be summarized as follows: The gospel defined (Acts 10:15); fulfilment of the promises (Acts 1:2); a revelation (Gal. 1:11-12, 16); historical and prophetic facts of the gospel (Luke 24:44; 1Cor. 15:1-23); a manifestation of: (1) God’s creation (Acts 1:20; Eph. 3:9), (2) Man’s rebellion (Acts 1:21-3:23), (3) God’s love, mercy, and grace (John 1:17; 3:16; Tit. 2:11-12; 3:5), God’s wrath (Rom. 1:18-32),  (5) God’s salvation (Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31; John 3:16; 1Jn. 1:9), (6) God’s plan (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 8:19-25; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21-22), (7) Man’s destiny: rebels (Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15); the saved (John 14:1-3; Rev. 5:10; 21:1-22:5); confirmation of the gospel (Mark 16:15-20; Rom. 15:18-29; Heb. 2:1-4); ordinances of the gospel: (1) water baptism (Matt. 28:19) and (2) the Lord’s Supper (1Cor. 11:19-34).

Grace

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1Peter 1:9-12 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

‘The end of your faith’ the Greek word telos meaning the end of a thing. It could also mean the consummation of being admitted or initiated into religion, marriage, etc. If this is what Peter has in mind it refers to believers being initiated into salvation by their faith (1:8-9). He could also have had in mind the end of salvation itself, which is at the end of a life of faith. 

‘Enquired’ [Greek: ekzeteo] to search out. They carefully and diligently sought and examined the truth of the things they were prophesying.

‘Grace that should come unto you’ they had salvation, grace, fillings, and gifts of the Spirit. It was the fullness of grace they predicted (John 1:16-17). Remember that the receiving of the fullness of grace is conditional.

God cannot give grace to men who disobey the gospel. If so, then God is under obligation to save all, even sinners who disobey if He saves even one (Rom. 2:11). God is under obligation to saints only when they walk in the light and remain true to the gospel (1John 1:7). He is not under obligation to sinners until they come to full obedience of the gospel. Grace teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly here and now (Tit. 2:11-12). If people do not obey its teaching grace can go no further.

Anyone may: Receive grace in vain (2 Cor. 6:1); frustrate the grace of God in his life (Gal. 2:21); fall from it (Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4); fail of the grace of God (Heb. 12:15); turn it into lasciviousness (Jude 1:4); sin in spite of it (Rom. 6:1); continue or discontinue in it (Acts 13:43); minister it to others (1Pet. 4:10); grow or not grow in it (2Pet. 3:18); receive or reject it (John 3:16; Heb. 12:15; Jas. 4:6; Rev. 22:17).

‘Searching’ [Greek: ereunao] to search for; examine (1:11; John 5:39; 7:52; Rom. 8:27; 1Cor. 2:10; Rev. 2:23). They did not know the time of the sufferings of Christ or by whom, neither the glory to follow the sufferings.

‘Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven’ it was the new covenant – that is the New Testament that was established with Christ’s crucifixion, (Heb. 9:15-18) and its full blessings that the prophets foretold. The fullness of grace (John 1:16-17), the fullness of the Holy Spirit anointing upon believers (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8), the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23), and the complete redemptive acts and processes of which the law was a shadow (Heb. 10:1) were all predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament. The way into the holiest by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), power and authority of every believer to do the works of Christ (John 14:12), and many other truths and experiences were unknown to the prophets. ‘Desire to look into’ angels are no doubt amazed at the wonderful plan of redemption and of the eternal exaltation of the redeemed. Even now they are being taught by the body of Christ the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 3:9-11). They observe saints constantly (1Cor. 4:9) and desire to look into the wonderful truths of the gospel.